About the School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA)

SPIA is home to multiple undergraduate and graduate academic programs and three Centers, which all serve to advance public impact through our scholarship, service, and teaching. The Portman Center is housed within the School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) and the College of Arts and Sciences. SPIA’s Public Policy Internships, Networking, and Placements Program Manager will reside in the Portman Center and report to the Portman Center Executive Director. 

About the Portman Center The Portman Center for Policy Solutions was established by the University of Cincinnati in February 2023 with a mission to encourage civility, bipartisanship and finding common ground to achieve policy solutions. The mission includes the promotion and development of future public servants from across the political spectrum who are committed to civility, open and inclusive dialogue, and bipartisan engagement. The Center aims to inspire students, faculty and community partners to grow as citizen-leaders who advance the public good, and through its mission, also intends to influence the national political climate at a time of growing partisanship and incivility.

Job Overview

The Portman Center Program Manager for Public Policy Internships, Networking, and Placements will work closely with the Executive Director on the development and maintenance of student internship, co-op, and job placements in government, public policy, and non-profit positions that align with the Portman Center’s mission and SPIA’s curriculum as a nexus of theory and action. This will include cultivating relationships with employers, training and mentoring students, facilitating assessment processes, and building necessary programming. The Program Manager will coordinate with UC’s College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies to promote the University’s experience-based learning objectives and with SPIA program directors to advance student learning and course credit. While the expectation is that this role is central to the Portman Center and SPIA's strategic direction, this position is contingent on future funding.

Essential Functions

• Manage, design, develop, modify and present programs. Perform program needs assessment and make recommendations. 

• Implement policies and procedures.

• Maintain budget for internship and placement programming, administer student awards, and approve and monitor expenditures.

• Coordinate with College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies on strategy, openings, placement processes, professional development, and record keeping.

• Act as a liaison to internal departments, external entities, student fellows, advisory board members, donors, and community organizations.

• Prepare and edit reports and/or newsletters and develop publication materials.

• Work with Portman Center administrative team to help the Center achieve its mission.

• Provide direct and/or indirect supervision to exempt and non-exempt staff (i.e., hiring/firing, performance evaluations, disciplinary action, approve time off, etc.)

• Perform related duties based on Center and SPIA need. The job description can be changed at any time.

Required Education

• Bachelor's Degree.
• Seven (7) years of relevant work experience and/or other specialized training can be used in lieu of education requirement.

Required Trainings/Certifications

N/A

Required Experience

• Three (3) years of relevant experience

Additional Qualifications Considered

• Mission-driven

• Self-motivated

• Experience with project management is ideal

• Experience with internship and/or job placement is ideal

• Experience working within an academic or public policy setting is ideal

Application Process Information

Interested and qualified candidates must complete our online application. Within the online application you must also submit:

• Resume or CV

• Cover Letter (explaining your interest in the position)

•Two professional references

Physical Requirements/Work Environment